Heiko Eisele, President of MVTec’s U.S. argues for why hardware‑independent architectures often beat the latest smart cameras in the long run and how the wrong software choice can quietly burn months of engineering time. He breaks down when to trust open source, and why labeling and data management are the unglamorous heart of industrial AI.

Heiko Eisele linkedin.com/in/heikoeisele

MVTec Software  mvtec.com | linkedin.com/company/mvtec-software-gmbh

We zoom in on the physics of imaging with Georgy Das, Director of Systems and Training at MidOpt, to explore why filters are a necessity in 99.9% of machine vision applications. Georgy explains how the right optical filtration tames glare, ambient light, and inconsistent environments when you scale from lab to factory floor. He also shares practical tools engineers can use to design complete, reliable systems from day one.

Georgy Das linkedin.com/in/georgydas

Midwest Optical Systems: midopt.com | linkedin.com/company/midwest-optical-systems

Automate 2026 – Visit MidOpt at Booth #333 | automateshow.com

How do you modernize 50-year-old paper mills to make operations safer? Brian Mock explains  how machine vision, edge computing, and AI are transforming the pulp and paper industry. He digs into why aging, siloed vision systems are a hidden drag on uptime, how edge devices change the economics of quality control from the woodyard to finished rolls, and why even tiny efficiency gains can mean millions in savings.

Brian Mock: linkedin.com/in/brian-mock

Event Capture Systems Inc: ecsuptime.com | linkedin.com/company/event-capture-systems | youtube.com/@eventcapturesystems7693

TAPPICon 2026 Program: https://events.tappi.org/event/tappicon/technical-program?session=66f0a3f4-d932-4c7a-8167-8d9e47ec30c9&shareLink=true

How RealSense is reshaping itself to deliver the future of robotics and AI. Chris Matthieu, VP of Developer Ecosystem at RealSense discusses the company's spin-out from Intel, their industry-leading depth cameras and vision systems, and a recent slew of new partnerships aimed to expand the company's influence.

* Chris Matthieu on LI | linkedin.com/in/chrismatthieu

We discuss the consolidation of TKH Vision's 2D Vision group under the Allied Vision brand. CEO Robert Franz elaborates on the company's customer-centric approach, its diverse product portfolio, and the benefits of consolidating member companies to better serve its customers. The conversation also touches on Robert's extensive career in the industry, significant technological trends like AI and 3D vision, and future growth prospects for Allied Vision.

* Robert Franz on LI | linkedin.com/in/robert-franz1/

We kick off the year with an interview featuring David Dechow, a renowned expert in machine vision and industrial automation. David shares insights on his decades-long career, the importance of fundamentals in machine vision, and the value of mentorship and continuous learning. His thoughts on emerging trends in 3D imaging and the proper application of AI provide a compelling start to 2026 for both new and seasoned professionals.

* David Dechow on LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/daviddechow/

We end the inaugural year of The MV Pro Podcast with a peek behind the curtain of MV Pro Media. This interview with CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Tom Tiner, discusses the challenges and opportunities of an increasingly international market, significant trends that caught the attention of the team in 2025, and big goals for 2026.

* Tom Tiner on LinkedIn | linkedin.com/in/thomas-tiner/

Petra Schumacher of SICK AG talks about her early career in machine vision and her passion for empowering other women to explore engineering. We discuss key influences and experiences that helped her turn an interest into a exciting, multi-disciplinary career. Sponsored by AIRON.

* Petra Schumacher on LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-schumacher/

Charlie Long, Zebra's new head of machine vision and factory automation, walks us through recent innovations and strategic investments behind its new portfolio of tools making machine vision more accessible, reliable, and efficient. 

Stephen Mott of Components Express Inc. by 2Connect discusses the crucial role of cables in machine vision projects and shares insights from his 29-year career. He highlights the company's focus on validation and customization to meet the rigorous demands of industries like automotive, logistics, semiconductor, and medical devices. The episode also touches on CEI/2Connect's global reach and future plans. Sponsored by MVTec.

* Stephen Mott | linkedin.com/in/stephen-mott-0b94a16